Page 35 of Alien Rescue

Rose shrugged. “I don’t know. He obviously wanted me to come here, so maybe he knows something useful. You can put on your trucker disguise and be my backup.”

She could see him thinking behind the enigmatic stare he leveled at her. “That is a good plan.” His praise shouldn’t matter to her, but it did.

“How do you do that disguise anyway?” She’d love to get her hands on it. She’d be able to infiltrate almost any organization. For a moment she enjoyed the picture of herself, solving case after case and rising in the ranks, eventually allowed home and treated like an important part of her family. Except she wasn’t so sure there were ranks to rise in anymore.

“Superior Zyrgin technology. Why do you think this Morgan knows anything about the weapons?”

It took a moment for her to shake off the daydream and realize he’d answered her question. “He was one of Parnell’s most trusted people.” She still couldn’t fathom how Morgan had reached the inner circle so easily.

He gave her a shrewd look. “He allowed himself to be buried many times?”

“No.”

“You said to be in Parnell’s inner circle you had to prove yourself. Why didn’t Morgan have to prove himself?”

She glared at him. “You are trying to influence me against the Director, but it won’t work. Besides only—”

“Only?”

Until she’d said it, she hadn’t realized, but it was only ever the women who had to prove themselves. “Nothing.” He was messing with her head and she wouldn’t let him.

“Parnell is not the man you think him. We will talk more about him later. We should explore the city now.”

Rose wanted to tell him to speak with more respect about the Director, but instead she waved an airy hand toward the stairs he’d locked out with his silver Band-Aid. “Lead on.”

He tipped up her chin. “The injection and insulation Viglar gave you will protect you from contaminants, but you still have to be careful.”

“All right, lead the way.” The sooner they found those thieves, the sooner she could move on to showing her family she was worthy.

Rose shivered. The uniform kept her warm, but she could feel the air up here was icy against her skin, and strong winds tried to jerk at her silver uniform but couldn’t find purchase. She frowned down at it. “Not the best clothes to hang out in a bar with.” It might protect her against the elements, but she definitely wouldn’t fade into the background.

“What will be appropriate?”

“Jeans and a sweater.” Normally she’d need a coat, but the uniform kept her warm.

Before her astonished eyes, the pants changed into jeans. Rather loose-fitting jeans. The shirt also changed into an overly large, soft, pink sweater, with frills around the sleeve cuffs. Grey clouds hung low in the sky and strong winds howled around the corners of the buildings. But she didn’t feel cold. Her feet were toasty warm and the alien uniform kept out any hint of cold. Instead she felt cold because she could see it was cold, and from sheer nerves.

“I could get used to alien clothing.”

“Of course it’s—”

“Superior Zyrgin technology,” she finished for him with an eye roll.

“Exactly.”

Zanr took her arm when a gust almost swept her off her feet. If she’d worn human clothing, she’d be swept off the building this time. His hand was hard and warm on her upper arm. She’d love to know how she could feel his warm hand, but not the cold.

Rose stared around them. “The view from up here is magnificent,” she shouted over another gust of wind. She could see the river flowing into the ocean and skyscrapers, in the style of previous centuries, now half-submerged in water. As far as the eye could see, there were buildings, some tall, some flatter structures. The grey clouds reflected in the water surrounding the submerged building, intensifying the stark feeling of the city in late winter.

He looked around. “The views in Zyrgin cities are superior.”

Rose shook her head. “Are all you aliens this arrogant or is it just you?”

He stared down at her. “Zyrgin warriors are not arrogant. We are assured of our skills and hardworking, but always humble.”

Rose didn’t even bother rolling her eyes again. If he wanted to believe that, she wasn’t going to argue his delusion. “How do we get down? You sealed the stairway into the building.”

Still holding her arm, he walked them even closer to the edge of the building. “We will go down the side of the building. I will carry you down.” He looked ready to jump off.

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